Coffee Drinking and Kids
Coffee and kids don’t mix; at least that’s what they tell us. Common sense also tells us that this is true, especially with countless sources telling us of the bad effects of caffeine on your body.
Lately though, with the popularity of huge coffee chains like Starbucks, the sight of teenagers, even kids, drinking coffee is something that is becoming more common. Are parents wrong to let their kids drink coffee?
I believe that coffee drinking, as with most things, is not bad unless you take it to the extreme (Attention caffeine addicts! ^_^). Coffee may contain caffeine, which has been proven to be addictive, but more and more studies are also showing that coffee may have more health benefits than we realize; in fact it may actually be beneficial to people suffering from Type II diabetes, hepatitis C, and skin cancer. The question now is whether the positive effects outweigh the negative ones.
With conflicting studies on the benefits and harm that coffee and caffeine bring, I think that it is impossible to draw a conclusion at this point. So instead of overly worrying about the issue, I would just let my kid drink coffee IN MODERATION and let him enjoy the treat, just like he gets his sweets every now and then. I do not say that he should get a full cup of coffee every single morning, but he sure can take a sip from my cup whenever he wants to (except late in the afternoon and at night because that’s asking for trouble come bedtime). Of course it goes without saying that they should never drink enough for it to replace their regular nutritional drink (read: milk). And as for teenagers who need an energy boost now and then to help them stay awake during exam week, I’d rather see them sipping on a cup of coffee rather than downing bottle after bottle of energy drinks!
What do you think? Is letting your kid drink coffee a sign of bad parenting?
Image credit: David White Design
Dessert and Good Coffee
There is, perhaps, no finer marriage in the world than a fantastic dessert and brewed coffee. It’s an interplay of flavors and textures. But not many people realize that (like wine and food) certain kinds of coffee work especially beautifully with certain kinds of dessert. It depends on the flavor personality of the coffee. Read more
5 Awesome Coffee Blends for the Holiday Season
If you’re a coffee lover, then you know how very much just the smell of a fresh brew can add to the already comfy, cozy feel of the holidays. But did you know that you can make the most of your love for the roast by choosing seasonally-themed flavors? Get the scoop on what’s hot this year (as well as what’s time-tested) with this list of five awesome coffee blends for the holiday season:
Royal Kona Pumpkin Spice
Warm a cold Halloween night or provide a stimulating after Thanksgiving-dinner aperitif with this light to medium roast, pumpkin-flavored blend. While many holiday-themed coffees tend to cater to the winter holidays, this blend is special in that it’s more specific to the fall season. Read more
The History of Halloween Candy
Not everyone who loves his cup of joe has a sweet tooth as well, but just in case you are, you are in for an awesome treat today: a sweet infographic detailing all that you want to know about the history of Halloween candy!
Oh, that wonderful time of the year when everything tries to spook everyone else. From witches to ghouls to zombies – people finally have the chance to look horrible and be proud of it! And of course, there is the candy! Even those who are too old to go trick or treating still somehow get some candy in their hands!
If you are well into your Halloween preparations (or even if you’re not), all this candy goodness will excite you even more!
The History of Halloween Candy by Recipe Finder
5 Incredible Holiday Gift Ideas for the Coffee Lover in Your Life
If you are a coffee lover, or know a coffee lover, then you know how fanatical people can be about their coffee. It’s not just a beverage. It’s a way of life. After all, how many times have you heard someone say, “I just can’t get started in the morning without my iced water?” Never. Coffee is where it’s at. And if you really want to impress your special someone this holiday season, a great way to do that is to prove your coffee fluency by finding the latest and greatest coffee offerings. Here to help is this list of five incredible holiday gift ideas for the coffee lover in your life:
Coffee Gift Baskets
If you can’t seem to decide which coffee gift to get, then why not get a little bit of everything? Coffee gift baskets are all the rage – a wide array can be found with a simple online search – and may contain any of a variety of coffee products, including holiday coffee blends, coffee mugs, coffee bean candy, coffee bean grinders, and flavored stir sticks. Read more
Starbucks Steps Up Fight Against Climate Change to Preserve Coffee Supply Chain
Starbucks has been making headlines recently for various reasons, from their logo change to lawsuits, and now for their efforts against climate change.
The Guardian reported yesterday that Starbuck’s Sustainability Director, Jim Hanna, expressed their concern over the effects of climate change, as well as their seriousness in finding ways to tackle the problem. Being a business though, Starbucks concern for climate change is obviously not just for the welfare of the environment, but its possible effects on the global coffee supply chain, which will obviously hurt their bottomline. As Jim Hanna said, “If conditions continue as they are – is a potentially significant risk to our supply chain, which is the Arabica coffee bean…If we sit by and wait until the impacts of climate change are so severe that is impacting our supply chain then that puts us at a greater risk. From a business perspective we really need to address this now, and to look five, 10, and 20 years down the road.”
Starbucks is definitely not taking this problem sitting down; in fact they have been implementing their “climate change strategy from 2004, focusing on renewable energy, energy conservation, and collaboration and advocacy.”
Early this month, Starbucks also renewed their partnership with Conservation International, which involves a $3 million, 2-year renewed commitment that will “expanding pilot programs in coffee-growing communities in Chiapas, Mexico, and Sumatra, Indonesia, which are designed to support and reward coffee farmers and coffee-growing communities for efforts taken to mitigate and adapt to climate change.”
So who says that profitability and environmental responsibility can’t go hand-in-hand? Not Starbucks.
